The American Red Cross’ 14th annual Humanitarian Awards Luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

“The event will recognize local individuals who exemplify courage, kindness and unselfish character,” a release stated. This year’s keynote speaker will be Mayfield Dairy Farms President Scottie Mayfield, who “spent many years leading the Boy Scouts and instilling leadership, courage and a sense of community responsibility in young men.”

The Red Cross will honor local heroes from nominations submitted by the community. The four categories include Good Samaritan, Youth 18 and under; Good Samaritan, Adults 19 and over; Red Cross Volunteer, Disaster; and First Responder. The deadline to nominate a local hero is 4 p.m. Friday, March 1; a form can be found on Page 3B or this edition of The Oak Ridger or at www.redcross.org/news/

Regarding the local “heroes” nominations and subsequent humanitarian recognition on March 19 at DoubleTree, Scot MacIlveen, who chairs the American Red Cross Leadership Cabinet of Anderson County, explains: “We wanted to thank our heroes during Red Cross Month … our volunteers, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.

“This is a great opportunity to remember those who help all of us by giving their time to help their neighbor.”

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters annually in this country alone. Last year in Anderson County, the Red Cross assisted 20 families/83 individuals with disaster financial assistance; more than 4,500 people attended Red Cross Disaster Services presentations and demonstrations; and 72 health and safety courses were offered to 864 people in first aid, CPR, AED and water safety.